HIKE DESCRIPTION:

The hike to Blue Lake is probably the most popular trail in the Indian Peaks Wilderness for day hikers and for good reason.  The hike is absolutely beautiful, visits two pristine alpine lakes, and is not all that difficult.  The hardest part of this hike is finding a time in the summer or fall when you can get a reservation and a parking space.  The Brainard Lake Recreation Area requires timed entry reservations for parking at the various trailheads.  The most convenient trailhead is the Mitchell Lake Trailhead and reservations can be made after May 31st here: Mitchell Lake Trailhead - Day Use Parking, Brainard Lake Recreation Area Parking Reservations - Recreation.gov

Assuming you can get a reservation and a parking space…  The hike starts from the Mitchell Lake Trailhead and starts off with a nice 1 mile ascent of 250 ft through high alpine pine forest.  The forest thins as you approach Mitchell lake and navigate a series of wooden boards keeping you out of the muddy wetland bordering the lake.  Mitchell Lake sits just below treeline and provided your first breathtaking alpine views.  For a short hike or a hike with little kids, Mitchell Lake is a worthy destination in itself.  If this is just the first stop on your hike, continue along the trail as you climb steadily towards treeline.  

After Mitchell Lake, the work begins. It is about a mile and a half and 665ft of elevation gain to Blue Lake.  The trail skirts cascading creeks and pools of ice and snow melt as forest gives way to tundra and rock.  The mountain peaks start to close in as you climb higher.  As you approach the Blue Lake basin the alpine scenery becomes indicative of why you live in Colorado, this is a truly spectacular portion of trail.  Before you know it, you’ll stumble across Blue Lake and get to bask in the mountain splendor of Pawnee Peak, Mt. Toll, and Paiute Peak all towering over the crystal clear water of Blue Lake…I’m getting a bit sappy here, but this is the Indian Peaks at their finest.  

Even if the lake is crowded on a Summer morning, there is plenty of space for folks to spread out and plenty of flat boulders for relaxing.  Once you’ve had enough of Colorado mountain wonder (impossible…I know…) head back the way you came and enjoy the hike all over again. 

Blue Lakes is often used as an introduction to the Colorado Rockies, though it took me 15 years to hike this trail.  Even after experiencing plenty of amazing Colorado hikes, this area took my breath away.  I was lucky enough to hike here at the end of the day, just before sunset and had the whole hike and lake to myself.  If the weather cooperates, this is a great way to avoid the crowds, but watch out for those afternoon storms.  Otherwise, get a reservation, get a parking spot, and enjoy!